5 best knocks by Indian batsmen against the Windies

The big boys of World Cricket - West Indies, reigned the game in most part of the 1970s and 1980s. They always played a fearless brand of cricket, intimidating the opposition and entertaining the audience. From being at the helm to falling down rapidly and lying at the bottom half of the rankings table, West Indies Cricket is in a pretty sorry state.

But when it comes to loving the sport, enjoying it and turning it into a celebration - the cool Carrebians have no match. The swagger, a wacky hairstyle, a colourful wristwatch, a heavy gold chain, and cool dance moves are things that truly describes a West Indian cricketer. Playing against such amazing individuals ensures a thrilling encounter most of the times.

Although West Indies has been a tough bowling unit always, Indian batsmen over the years have been able to get better of them.

Let us have a look at 5 such special innings played by Indian batsmen against West Indies

#1 The Nawab of Najafgarh - Virender Sehwag thrashes the West Indian bowlers

One of the most dominating and powerful openers of all-time, The Nawab of Najafgarh - Virender Sehwag was a fiery batsman who often ripped the opposition bowlers to shreds.

The year 2011, West Indies tour of India, match No.4, although the hosts were leading the series 2-1, a disappointing loss in the previous match required something special from the Indians and Sehwag did just that.

Batting first, Sehwag weaved his magic when he thrashed the West Indies bowlers scoring a thrilling double ton. His astronomical score of 219 off just 149 deliveries was the highest ever ODI score till that time (Rohit Sharma later broke this record).

His massive innings consisted of 25 fours and seven sixes, totalling close to 150 runs in boundaries. Sehwag reached his double ton in his characteristic style i.e by hitting a six.

His pyrotechnics ensured India post a mammoth 418 runs on board resulting in an easy win.

#2 The King of Sixes - Yuvraj Singh overcomes pain to win it for India

When the going gets tough the tough get going - a saying that fits perfectly for the six-sixes man Yuvraj Singh. It was the time when the Indian fans' expectations were at an all-time high with the ODI World Cup being played at home. It was also time when Yuvraj had started to see symptoms of cancer.

Yuvraj Singh overcame pain to score a staggering 113* against the West Indies in ICC 2011 World Cup

20th March 2011, India was scheduled to play the unpredictable West Indies in a crucial group stage encounter.

Yuvraj had not been keeping well and had started vomiting blood just prior to the match. He did not feel like eating as well. But the iron-willed Yuvraj took the field and gave it everything he had scoring a staggering 113 out of the total 268 that India scored batting first. His knock included 10 fours and two sixes. Yuvraj also took two crucial wickets with his accurate bowling leading India to a victory.

There were times during the match when he felt dizzy and was also asked by umpire Simon Taufel whether he wishes to leave the field but the dogged southpaw kept going.

He was adjudged the Man of The Match. This performance by Yuvraj Singh was truly an inspirational one characterized by grit and determination.

#3 The original 'Little Master' - Sunil Gavaskar stood strong against the mighty Windies

The original 'Little Master', Sunil Gavaskar aka Sunny was a legendary batsman. In an era dominated by outstanding fast bowlers, Gavaskar was one of the stalwarts who stood strong in front them that too without a helmet! An exemplary technique combined with an unbreakable focus enabled him to score a bucket load of runs in his career.

Sunil Gavaskar scored a brilliant 236* at Chennai against The Windies

The West Indies team of the early 1980s had an unrivalled bowling attack comprising of Malcolm Marshall, Andy Roberts and Michael Holding.

December 1983, 6th Test match of West Indies tour of India was being played in Chennai in typical sultry conditions of the region. West Indies batting first scored a respectable 313 with all the top order batsmen chipping in with the 30s and Dujon scoring a half ton. Kapil Dev and Maninder Singh were the strike bowlers for India plucking 3 wickets each.

In reply, India was struggling losing half the side for just 92 runs on the board. The two Mumbai boys Sunil Gavaskar and Ravi Shastri bailed India out stitching a massive 170-runs partnership. Shastri got out after scoring a brilliant 72 but the gritty Gavaskar kept going. With Kapil Dev's and Syed Kirmani's support Gavaskar scored an awe-inspiring double ton. His knock of 236* included 23 boundaries.

The match ended in a draw.

#4 India's middle-order star - Dilip Vengsarkar took on the West Indies bowlers

Dilip Vengsarkar was a consummate middle-order batsman who played spin and pace equally well. Batting at a crucial No.3 position, Vengsarkar was a pillar of Indian batting lineup. With close to 7000 runs in Test cricket and 17 centuries against his name, Vengsarkar scored runs at a metronomic consistency.

Dilip Vengsarkar played some delightful shots at the Feroz Shah Kotla

Scoring six centuries against the strong West Indies side is a testimony to the fact that Vengsarkar was a maestro at batting.

His best knock came in the West Indies tour of India, 1983. The 2nd Test match of the 6-Test series was being played at Delhi. India batting first lost Gaekwad pretty early and then it was up to the two greats - Gavaskar and Vengsarkar to play a steady game and see off the new ball. Once the ball lost its shine both the batsmen went after the bowling. Vengsarkar enthralled the crowd by hitting some delightful shots and scoring a mammoth 159. A free-flowing partnership of 178 between Gavaskar and Vengsarkar ensured that India reaches a respectable total of 464.

Vengsarkar scored a half-century in the second innings as well and held the innings together, saving the game for India.

#5 The captain cool MS Dhoni bats with the tail

The trailblazer of Indian cricket and an epitome of calmness - MS Dhoni is a go-to man in crisis situations. His ability to read the situation of the game is impeccable. This enables Dhoni to bail India out of tough situations. Batting down the order for the most part of his career, Dhoni is adept to play with the tail.

The year 2009, India's tour of West Indies, 2nd ODI of the 4-match series, India elected to bat first and started off terribly losing the top three - Karthik, Gambhir and Rohit under the team of score 10. With MS Dhoni at the crease, he saw wickets tumbling at the other end as the Windies bowlers wrecked havoc in Indian batting lineup. At 82-8, India was starring at a sub-100 total.

Fortunately, a dogged RP Singh hung around with MSD who skillfully guided the team to a respectable total of 188. A fighting partnership of 101 between RP Singh and MS Dhoni ensured that the Windies bowling storm did not destroy India's batting completely. Dhoni scored a brilliant 95 missing a century but for team's cause. RP Singh scored a hard-fought 23.

India lost the match with a huge margin but MS Dhoni once again proved that he can bat the way situation demands.